Disclaimer: Own Naruto I do not.

One chapter to go. >:)

Domino Effect: Homecoming March

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Naruto raced out of the academy the moment the lunch bell rang and seated himself on the single swing. Normally, he would be eating with Haku but he did not feel like he could face anyone right then. It had been one year since he had come to live with his new family and he had been happier than he ever remembered being. Today, however, his class had gone over the attack of the Kyuubi in history. Naruto knew that the history had been edited to protect him but he still felt Kenji-sensei's accusing glare on him. Naruto's gaze turned to the Hokage monument and, specifically, the face of the fourth.

"Tou-san, I understand why you did this but I don't think that I'm strong enough."

"You're the strongest person that I know aniki." Naruto looked back to see Haku standing behind him with their bentos. "Don't worry," he continued. "Someday they'll see you like we do aniki."

Naruto followed Haku to the pond by the academy and walked to the middle to eat lunch. They regularly had lunch on the pond because it not only kept the bullies who didn't know how to walk on water away but also improved their chakra control. Sasame had discovered early on that Naruto had horrible chakra control and tutored both he and Haku in control exercises. He had bribed them into practicing tree climbing and water walking by promising to teach them henge jutsu once they mastered both. They had both jumped at the chance and had practiced every spare chance that they got. A few weeks later they were the proud users of a beginner's henge. Sasame was now drilling them on all of the seals that a shinobi needed to know, making sure that they could do the seals in their sleep. They were a far cry better from the rest of their class, which needed three times the amount of time the two needed to form the same seals.

When Sasame had first started tutoring them Naruto had again asked them why he did not want to be a ninja. Sasame had answered sadly that ninja were tools for their villages and that they were expected to fight and kill when ordered. Sasame had not been able to kill his heart and had chosen, instead, the life of a civilian. Naruto had declared that he would only fight and kill by his own moral code and that someday he would become Hokage so that he could protect all villagers and shinobi from having to kill their hearts. Haku, on the other hand, had vowed to become a medic-nin so that he could save lives rather then take them and so that he could protect his future team.

Sasame had taken four more trips to Sunagakure in the past year, leaving Naruto and Haku with Gaara while he sold his stock. The last trip had conveniently been scheduled for this year's Festival of the Fourth. During that time Gaara had told them that he wanted to become an ANBU captain. He had gotten to know his siblings very well and had once told Naruto that he thought Temari would make a good Kazekage since she was smart, powerful, and secretly craved peace for their country. It was a peace that she would never see under their war mongering father.

Naruto finished his lunch and threw the crumbs to the fish that had learned to wait underneath of them. Haku had already used his water prison jutsu to pull out his favorite fish, a goldfish with a bad fin that he called Mr. Popo, and had fed him individually. "Hey Haku, let's go practice kunai throwing," he said suddenly. "And you can practice with your senbon while I do shurikens." Haku nodded in understanding. Kunai throwing was once Naruto's worse subject. Kenji-sensei had often ridiculed him for it but had never taught him how to do it right. He also made sure that Iruka-sensei was always too busy to help as well. Sasame had taken three days to correct his technique and now Naruto took great pleasure in rubbing that victory into Kenji-sensei's face.

Naruto and Haku left the pond and began walking to the training field. Suddenly, the sand rose up and began dancing around them. Naruto and Haku gasped and looked around eagerly. Sure enough, Gaara was just a few feet away, standing under a tree. His clothes were dirty and the symbol "ai" (love) was on his forehead but it was still the same Gaara that they had seen a month ago in Sunagakure. They ran to him excitedly.

"Gaara, what are you doing here?" asked Haku.

"And how long can you stay?" added Naruto. Gaara looked at them both subdued and barely even mustered a smile.

"Can I stay with you guys for a while?" Naruto and Haku nodded.

"Perhaps you should speak with me first." The boys jumped and turned to find the Hokage standing quietly behind them. "Come along boys." He motioned them back to the academy and borrowed Kenji-sensei's office. Kenji-sensei and his assistant, Iruka, continued to grade tests while Sandaime settled the boys and asked Gaara why he had snuck alone to Konoha.

FLASHBACK

Gaara screamed from the pain in his heart while his sand carved the symbol for "love" on his forehead. The broken body of Yashamaru lay before him, taunting him with the reality of his father's betrayal. Gaara reached up to clutch his chest and instead found himself clutching the precious locket that Haku had, again, given him to hold.

"It's a promise," Haku and Naruto's voices echoed in his mind. Gaara's mind stilled and pushed away the chaos surrounding him. Only one thought pierced through his mind: Get to Konoha. Gaara ran until the village disappeared from the horizon.

END FLASHBACK

The room was quiet as Gaara finished his tale. Not even Kenji-sensei and Iruka moved. Finally, Sarutobi leaned back and sighed. "So the Kazekage ordered the assassination of his own son. It's obvious that this would continue if we sent you back." The boys gasped. "Don't worry, I won't be sending Gaara back. Sabaku no Gaara, I'm offering you sanctuary in Konoha."

"Does that mean that I can stay with Naruto and Haku?" asked Gaara anxiously. Sarutobi chuckled.

"Well it means that you can stay in Konoha. You'll have to ask Sasame if you can stay with them. I gather that you'll want to attend the academy with them?" Gaara nodded enthusiastically.

"Absolutely not!" cried Kenji. "I refuse to teach another bakemono. Surely you must see that he is dangerous Hokage-sama? He killed a chunin with almost no effort. Imagine what havoc those two will reek together!" Sarutobi glared.

"Thank you Kenji, for informing me that you would rather not be a chunin. You are to report to the mission office tomorrow for reassignment to a genin team."

"But sir," sputtered Kenji.

"You're dismissed," said Sandaime in his best 'powerful Hokage' voice. Kenji blanched and left the room weakly. "Iruka, I know that you are still new to the academy but do you feel up to taking over Kenji's class?" Iruka gaped.

"Y-yes sir," he stuttered finally. Sarutobi nodded.

"I'll send you a new assistant in about two weeks."

"Sir," said Iruka hesitantly. "I know that Mizuki didn't pass the Academy Teacher's Exam but I know that he would make a good instructor. I've heard the rumors that people have been saying about him but I know that he wouldn't have done it." Sarutobi sighed.

"Alright Iruka, I'll place him as your assistant, barring any outcome of the investigation, but only on a trial basis. You understand that you'll be taking responsibility for him?" Iruka nodded and turned to Gaara.

"Don't worry Gaara; I'll make sure that you become a great shinobi." Gaara looked up at his smiling face and smiled back shyly. Naruto jumped up and grabbed Gaara's hand.

"Come on you guys; let's go see Sasame-tou-san."

"Yeah," cried Haku. "He'll have to let you stay if we hit him with puppy eyes no jutsu, Gaara." Haku had invented that jutsu just two weeks ago and Sasame had found himself completely helpless to the pouty, sparkly, and wide-eyed jutsu.

"Wait," cried Iruka. "You still have two hours of class left."

"Puppy Eyes no Jutsu!" cried Haku. Iruka and Sarutobi fell back at the cuteness of those eyes.

"H-Haku," mumbled Iruka.

"The chakra's strong with this one," observed Haku. "Naruto, Gaara, back me up."

"Henge," called the two boys. Where Naruto and Gaara had been standing were now a Jack Russell Terrier that was dancing on its hind legs and a fluffy, grey kitten that gave a pitiful mewl. Iruka fell back in defeat and the trio canceled their jutsus and ran off.

Moments later Iruka looked over to Sarutobi. "Are you going to tell them that you had already declared a half day?"

"Nah," Sarutobi answered. "But just think about what a great genin team they'll make." He chuckled and left Iruka to his grading.

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Here's chapter six for all of my fans. I'm rather suprised that nobody said anything about Kenji. And now it's time for bad news, good news.

Bad News: The parental units have decided that it is time for me to get a job. (shudders) I will however keep trying to give you one new chapter a week.

Good News: Trilogy is official. I will be posting one more chapter of Domino Effect and then move on to the sequel, which will span the wave arc. I haven't come up with a title yet but I'll post notice on this story when it goes up.

I got a lot of requests for Naruto/Hinata and not to many for Gaara/Hinata so I'll go with the fans on this one. That still leaves Gaara up for grabs. Haku will be paired with an OC and there will be one yaoi couple, though I won't really stress any pairings too far. Their Jonin sensei will be……(not telling).

Review Please